PROCEEDINGS FOR 1899 XXIII 



ico has announced its readiness to undertake its part of the work ; the 

 successful execution of the project as a whole, therefore, now entirely 

 depends on the co-operation of Canada. It is respectfully suggested 

 therefore, that a limited grant for this purpose would be regarded as a 

 contribution to aid in the general researches of the nations of the world, 

 Avhile all the extensive triangulations have seldom been undertaken 

 upon scientific grounds alone ; their primary object has been utilitarian 

 and to provide a basis for systematic surveys. Without such a basis, 

 there is no finality in results ; the same ground is being surveyed over 

 and over again, as is the case in the Dominion, by the land surveyor, 

 the geologist, the railway or canal engineer, the hydrographer, etc. 

 Eor every new project a new survey has to be made. The labour and ex- 

 penditure on these surveys would be considerably reduced and often 

 entirely unnecessary if we had a systematic triangulation carried out as 

 in other countries. This fact has long been recognized in Europe 

 where every country has been accurately mapped. Outside of Europe 

 may be cited the United States whose triangulation is well advanced ; 

 India, which offers a striking instance of extensive and well conducted 

 surveys, the Cape of Good Hope and Natal which have executed a joint 

 triangulation has preceded all other surveys. It must not be supposed 

 that there were no objections raised in these countries to the inception 

 of this work ; on the contrary, it was frequently opposed by those who 

 did not understand its practical value, but their opinions changed 

 after they had been in a position to appreciate its usefulness. Of the 

 survey of South Africa, Mr. David Gill, Her Majesty's Astronomer at 

 the Cape, says : — 



"The influence of the Geodetic Survey has made itself felt by 

 raising the whole tone of survey operations in South Africa. Strongly 

 as it was at first opposed, and grudgingly as it was maintained, its ad- 

 vantages are now fully acknowledged and by none more warmly than 

 the Surveyor-Generals of the Cape Colony, Natal and Bechuanaland.^' 



The triangulation of the 98th Meridian would be for Canada, the 

 first step in the right direction, to be followed by others as the re- 

 sources of the country would allow. It is believed that an appropria- 

 tion of, say $10,000, for a few years, would be sufficient to carry to com- 

 pletion the measurement of the 98th Meridian. The Eoyal Society of 

 Canada strongly recommends such a grant and believes that the work 

 will be of great benefit to Canada, not only by its immediate practical 

 results, but also in placing the country in a most favourable light before 

 the scientific world. 



And your memorialists humbly pray that Your Excellency will 



